E41 | From Consultant To Netflix Sensation | Bridgerton Star Left The Corporate World To Pursue Her Dreams
Episode description
Charithra Chandran, born in Perth, Scotland, is the daughter of Tamil Indian medical professionals. Her parents separated when she was two, leading her to India with her father, where she lived with her grandparents in Tamil Nadu. Returning to the UK at the age of four, she pursued her education in Liverpool, Suffolk and Oxford.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from New College, Oxford in 2019, Charithra actively participated in various productions during her university years and became a member of the National Youth Theatre.
Despite earning her degree, Charithra felt a strong passion for performing, prompting her to take a gap year to explore her dream before committing to a conventional full-time job. While working part-time for the New Policy Institute after her gap year, she realised her true calling was acting. She turned down a job offer from Boston Consulting Group, choosing to pursue a career in acting.
In 2021, Charithra joined the main cast of the spy thriller series "Alex Rider" for its second season, playing the role of Sabina Pleasance, along with the role of Edwina in the second series of the Shondaland-produced Netflix period drama "Bridgerton," based on the novel "The Viscount Who Loved Me," in 2022.
Season 4 of the series begins by exploring Charithra's journey, touching on topics such as making a drastic career change, navigating discrimination, and emphasising the importance of authenticity.
We discuss:
- Nurtured in Tamil culture during childhood
- Navigating the challenges of divorced parents
- Early exposure to boarding school life
- Cultivating a passion for performing arts
- Confronting experiences of discrimination
- Embarking on a transformative gap year to pursue your passion
- Epiphanies amid the challenges of the Covid era
- Strategic pursuit of personal dreams
- A pivotal role in Netflix's acclaimed series, Bridgerton
- Wrestling with feelings of inadequacy and failure
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Embracing Differences and Following Passions
(00:05:03) A Netflix Superstar's Amazing Story
(00:10:17) The Immense Love and Obsession
(00:15:44) A Childhood of Moving and Divorce
(00:20:42) The Sacrifice of Her Career
(00:26:10) Boarding School Memories
(00:31:23) The Beginning of Race Consciousness
(00:36:34) Embracing Differences and Teaching Empathy
(00:41:29) Tackling Racism in Schools
(00:46:47) Creating Inclusive Theater at Oxford
(00:51:25) Taking Ownership of My Life
(00:56:30) Finding Your Purpose
(01:01:21) From Auditions to Success
(01:06:20) Acknowledging the Hard Work of Others
(01:11:32) Learning from a Leader on Set
(01:16:38) The Racially Diverse World of Bridgerton
(01:21:50) The Power of Imagination in the Arts
(01:26:39) Implementing a Morning Routine for Productivity and Gratitude
(01:31:24) The Power of Focusing on Injustices
(01:36:36) Setting Intentions and Working with Communities
(01:41:27) Unfolding perspectives in life
INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON Tickets:
https://thegarricktheatre.co.uk/tickets/instructions-for-a-teenage-armageddon/
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Unity & Motion - A London based production company specialising in commercials and branded content Email: [email protected] This is a UNIFY Podcast. Produced by Unity & Motion Credits: Director: Charles Parkinson Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie Sound Recordist: Mobo Johnson Camera Operator: Stanley Chiu & Stuart Aitken Editor: Catherine Singh